Teaching Assistant Interview

[Mumma29]

Hi

I have a teaching assistant interview coming up and I have been asked to teach a short reading session for a year 3 class. This can be a poem, book or piece of text that will engage the children. I don't have any teaching assistant experience as of yet but we all have to start somewhere. Can anyone recommend anything that can help me get this job as this is a career I really want to pursue 😊😊

How long is short, and do they mean for the whole class?

15 minutes and 5 children

What experience do you have and do you have your own children? What texts are you familiar with?
They'll obviously be observing how you relate to the children as much as what you choose to do with them.

I don't have any teaching experience. I have young children with the eldest in year 1 so I'm not familiar with much text/books for year 3. I want to make the lesson engaging possibly finding a text and adding an activity into it or would this be the wrong thing to do?

What exactly is the wording they've used when telling you what to prepare for?

Use an appropriate text/book or poem that will engage the class. It's a 15 minute reading lesson

I do think that's quite tricky for someone who may not have any TA experience! And odd that they say class and then elsewhere clarify that it's for a small group.

Maybe a Y3 Asst or teacher will appear here shortly to suggest something, but in meantime you could Google Y3 books/poems depending on what you fancy.

You'd have to provide the book presumably.

Why do you want the job, what previous experience do you have which might be relevant?

I have not been in a proper job since having my children, but now they are at school I can commit to a job I really want to do. I enjoy being around ks1/ks2 classes I currently work as a MSA.

MSA = lunchtime assistant? Different schools use different terms.

Sorry allI have is questions!

I used to work in primary, now secondary, can't think of Y3 texts, otherwise would have suggested something.

You'd have to bear in mind they'll be a wide range of reading abilities in Y3, from pretty fluent to maybe not reading at all.

I think they probably just want you to share a book/poem - ie read it (possibly get them to read a few words), discuss it, point out things about the pictures.
And as I say, they're probably more interested in how you manage the group, including encouraging them to take turns, don't shout out, focus on you and the book, and all have a positive experience.
Does that make sense?

Google the poem 'Ten Things Found in a Wizard's Pocket'. Read it to children with expression. Have a little chat about why he has those objects. What is unusual/magical about them. Get the children to suggest other things he could have in his pocket. Take along a few magical/mysterious things with you to inspire them and prompt discussion. Good luck! Let me know how you get on.

The Three Little Wolves and the Big Bad Pig s a good one!